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Current Council Members

1st Ward, Ralph Cumston
Term expires 12/31/2015

Has been a member of council for 19 years, has served on Finance Committee, Municipal Parks and Recreation, Public Utilities, Streets and Sewers, Legislation Codes and Regulations, Traffic Commission, Information Systems in order to obtain a well rounded experience of all committee functions. He has been a member of Good Faith Baptist Church over 25 years and has served on its church board. Head of set-up, tear-down and general maintenance for Saturday In the Park since its inception.

Ralph resides in Marion with his wife Patty and two children Megan and Andy. Ralph has two grown children, Dawn who resides in Marion and his son Shawn who is a member of the Marines. He also has seven grandchildren. Ralph encourages you to feel free to call, send a letter, e-mail or stop by to speak with him about your concerns.

"Together we can make Marion a better place to live and raise our families," says Ralph Cumston.

Ralph currently serves on the following committees:

Finance, Chair

Municipal Services, Parks & Recreation, Chair

Public Utilities

2nd Ward, Ayers Ratliff
Term expires 12/31/2015

2015 marks a decade of service for 2nd Ward Councilman Ayers Ratliff, who is running unopposed in the November election. Ayers and his wife Heidi will be celebrating their 10 year anniversary next month. They have three children, Dusty, Del and Annie. He is the Director of Racing Communications at Northfield Park, where he has worked since 2007. Ayers is also a Tax Professional at H&R Block. Ayers is a strong family man with deep roots in the second ward and is committed to the betterment of his ward and our entire City.

Ayers currently serves on the following committees:

Regional Planning

Airport, Lands & Buildings, Chair

Information Systems

Jobs & Economic Development, Chair

3rd Ward, Mike Thomas
Term expires 12/31/2015

Married to Phyllis Eshman-Thomas, 3 Children, Michele Thomas, Kellie Devers, and Daniel Shields; 2 grandchildren, Kaitlyn Shields and Brooke Monakey. Have resided at 974 Woodrow Ave since 1968, after serving in the U.S. Army from 1964-1968; Employed by GTE/Verizon from 1968 to retirement in 2005.

I have served on City Council for 20 years and presently Chair of the Streets and Sewers Committee, as well as the Traffic Commission. Currently also a member of the Jobs and Economic Development Committee. I have been elected by my peers on City Council to the position of President Pro Tempore.

As a member of the community, I serve as The City of Marion’s representative to Marion Can-Do Board, Rushmore Academy’s Board, as well as the Pioneer Healthy Community of the YMCA and one of the founding members of the West Side Neighborhood Group. I serve on these board in the interest of serving our Community, and as such, do not receive payment from them.

5th Ward, John Smith
Term expires 12/31/2015

It has been an honor to serve as City Councilmember for Marion's 5th ward for over 8 years. Working together we have managed to stretch our tax dollars to keep police officers and firefighters on our streets. As a member of the United States Army Reserves, I have served over 29 years holding the rank of Sargent Major and completing tours in Afghanistan as well as Iraq. With over 20 years of experience in the insurance industry I have the business expertise to continue to serve Marion's 5th ward. Now currently employed by E Life Brokerage, a member of St. Mary Church, a graduate of The Ohio State University, BA in economics, received a Master in Financial Economics from Ohio University and a MBA from the University of Notre Dame. I look forward to continuing to working with all members of City Council and the Administration to ensure that tax revenue is spent effectively and efficiently to provide services to the residents of the City of Marion.

At Large, Beckie Gustin
Term expires 12/31/2015

I was born and raised in Marion, Ohio. Attended the Ohio State University and graduated with a BS in education. I received a master’s degree in Teacher Effectiveness from Mount Saint Joseph in Cincinnati, Ohio. I have two daughters, Ashley and Page. I have been married for 38 years to Barry Gustin who is also from Marion. I attend Epworth Methodist Church and am very active in Junior Service Guild. I am a member of the Marion Education Foundation.

At Large, Scott Crider
Term expires 12/31/2015

Born and raised in Marion Ohio Harding High School graduate, 1981 Ohio State University, Bachelor of Science Degree in Industrial Design – Visual Communications, 1987 Full time Sales Specialist with Lowes and Field Services Director with Preservation Ohio. Community Involvement: St. Paul’s Episcopal Church Board and Food Pantry, past Downtown Marion Design Review Board, former Chair, past Board of Trustee with the Marion County Historical Society, Marion Matters Transportation Action Committee and Visioning Marion participant, Ohio Historical Society Member.

I hope to contribute back to Marion a sense of optimism in facing our challenges and improving our city’s image in its marketing to potential employers who provide good stable jobs with benefits especially to enable our younger adults to stay here. I would like to work with other community groups in helping to conquer our drug problem. I would like to support and foster projects that would help to improve and beautify our neighborhoods. Call me if you have any concerns.

Soctt currently sits on the following Committees:

Jobs & Economic Development

Municipal Services, Parks & Recreation

Regional Planning

Streets & Sewers

Traffic Commission

At Large, Josh Daniels
Term expires 12/31/2015

Age- 44; Married to Danielle Daniels, and father of three children, Bo, Lyra, and Della.

Self-employed real estate investor and home builder; Josh served in the U.S. Navy from 1989-1995 as a petty officer Graduated from Elgin High School and Tri-Rivers Career Center 1989. Graduated from Marion Technical College in Real Estate in 1995; Graduated from The Ohio State University in 1999 with a Bachelor’s Degree in Economics & Finance.

Served as a member of the Marion County Board of Elections and as a Marion County Commissioner.

As Chairman of Marion City Council’s Legislative and Codes Committee, Josh Daniels has introduced and passed legislation that improves protection of children against sexual predators, strengthened protections against incomplete demolition projects, such as the former AHP Factory and repealed several outdated laws, as they were no longer needed.

Josh currently sits on the following Committees:

Finance

Legislation, Codes & Regulations, Chair

Zoning & Annexation

President of Council, Dave Edwards
Term expires 12/31/2015

Born, raised and proudly living in Marion Ohio. Graduated Marion Harding High school 1975 and Marion Technical College in 2010 with an Associate Degree. Parents are Carnie and Kathleen Edwards, who reside in Marion, Ohio. Married Debra Edwards in 1992 have 5 children, Kenny & Aubrey Persinger, Joshua, Christopher, and Alexandra Edwards and 11 grandchildren.

Honorable discharge as Second Class Petty Officer Sonar Technician from United States Navy in 1982. Deployed on multiple extended missions while assigned to two nuclear attack submarines. Worked at Eaton/Dana/Sypris for 24 years until laid off shortly before it was shut down and demolished. Presently work at Hendrickson Auxiliary Axle Systems in Customer Service.

Member of Dayspring Wesleyan Church where I have been involved in Easter & Christmas dramas, choir, and park clean ups, and Back to School Bash at Garfield Park. Other community activities have been Baseball for Youth, Saturday in the Park, and member of Marion Board of Zoning Appeals. Served as Marion City Council President since 2008 and worked with all Council members and committees during my tenure as President.